Linda Bassett

Born: UK

The accomplished actress is probably best known for the role of put-upon Ella Khan in the box office hit East is East.

A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, she made her feature debut playing Gertrude Stein in Waiting for the Moon.

Subsequent appearances included Paris By Night, the gangster movie Le Him Have It, the horror film Haunted and the mother of Julia Roberts in Mary Reilly.

Subsequent appearances included Oscar & Lucinda before she was cast opposite Om Puri in the comedy drama East is East.

Roles followed in The Martins and she also played Nelly Boxall in The Hours as well as Cora in the British comedy Calendar Girls.

Recent work includes the British gangster movie Spivs opposite Ken Stott.